Trace Metal Limitation of Phytoplankton Productivity: Combined Immunological, Geochemical, and Growth Assay Approaches in Lake Superior

虽然最近的一些研究已经证实，在各种海洋环境中，初级生产可能受到微量金属可用性的限制，但对于淡水系统，甚至是北美五大湖的内海系统，还没有类似的研究。 在这个项目中，来自明尼苏达大学，罗格斯大学和鲍林绿色州立大学的研究人员将调查微量金属限制的存在，机制，时空范围和在苏必利尔湖上级初级生产的意义。 他们将采取三管齐下的办法。 首先，要量化和表征总的和生物活性的微量金属浓度，铝，铁，锰，锌，铜，镉，钴将被确定在溶液中，在悬浮颗粒，并在浮游生物领域。 其次，免疫学和荧光分析将用于评估藻类中的金属缺乏。 第三，微量金属富集实验将用于在实验室中通过实验评估局限性。 这三个实地地点将被选择，以利用现有的数据，从国家科学基金会赞助的KITES计划。

ABSTRACTOCE-9819324 / OCE-9902660 / OCE- 9902658Although a number of recent studies have verified that primary production in various marine environments may be limited by trace metal availability, there has not yet been a similar body of research for freshwater systems, even the inland sea system of the North American Great Lakes. In this project researchers from the University of Minnesota, Rutgers University, and Bowling Green State University will investigate the existence, mechanisms, spatial-temporal extent, and significance of trace metal limitation to primary production in Lake Superior. They will take a three-pronged approach. First, to quantify and characterize total and bioactive trace metal concentrations, Al, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Cd, and Co would be determined in solution, in suspended particles, and in plankton in the field. Secondly, immunological and fluorescence assays would be used to assess metal deficiency in algae in the field. Third, trace metal enrichment experiments would be used to assess limitation experimentally in the laboratory. The three field sites would be chosen to take advantage of existing data available from the NSF-sponsored KITES program.